Interview With Author L. M. Sanguinette
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
What can I say? I’m an avid reader, coffee/tea drinker, lover of animals (especially sea turtles). I studied computer engineering because I was too afraid to share my stories. During the day I’m in tech, but at night I’m in my imagination. Those are the things you’re supposed to say, right? In truth, I’m just a girl from the Caribbean searching for magic and sharing her fantastical stories along the way.
I’ve written two poetry collections, The Days I Dream of Coffee & The Days I Dream of Chocolate, and my debut novel Welcome to Visanthe releases September 2nd 2022.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, Welcome to Visanthe, was inspired by a dream I had almost 10 years ago about jumping into a fantastical world of elemental magic. I used to close my eyes and leap from my staircase, visualizing myself actually jumping worlds. Crazy right? I’ve always loved the world of Avatar the Last Airbender—my favourite series growing up (and to this day)—so I think this started as a love letter to it and became something more.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I drink entire pots of coffee/tea (depending on how I’m feeling that day) before 11AM. I talk out scenes—sometimes I even pretend to be the characters.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I definitely grew up a Harry Potter girl. It was the Lord of the Rings of my generation. As I got older, I found myself drawn to books by V.E.Schwab, Philip Pullman (his dark materials is one of my favourite trilogies of all time), I love Stephanie Garnet’s Caraval and Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus (the latter being the reason I decided to become an author).
What are you working on now?
A free standalone story set in Visanthe (my fictional world), and the second book in the Visanthe trilogy. All my novels are character based, because I believe that nothing is more interesting than delving into the who’s and why’s of a story rather than the where’s and what’s.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Right now, I’m using Instagram and TikTok, though I’m an antisocial a** that cannot seem to manage posting daily.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Editors are your best friends. Costly, but worth it. It doesn’t matter if you’ve got a doctorate in literature, EVERYONE NEEDS AN EDITOR.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Finish your draft, leave it for a month, come back with a new mind and a red pen.
What are you reading now?
Making my way through the Cassie Clare, mortal instruments series and I have my doubts, but I’m sticking around because I don’t like to leave a story unfinished.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully more books from Visanthe, I have to get out a third poetry collection some time this year as well, and there’s a beautiful standalone that has been bouncing around my mind about tarot cards and fate (but you’ll have to wait for that one).
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Night Circus,
Maybe a survival guide (would be useful, no?),
One of the Caraval books,
Ready Player One
Author Websites and Profiles
L. M. Sanguinette Amazon Profile
L. M. Sanguinette’s Social Media Links